Navigating the Target Store in Smyrna, Georgia

The Target store in Smyrna, Ga., is clean, well stocked and boasts a warm family environment. The employees seem to light up when they see shoppers accompanied by cute and cuddly babies. In close proximity to Cumberland Mall and restaurants to accommodate budgets from Checkers to The Cheesecake Factory, the Smyrna Target is a shopper's paradise.

While not a SuperTarget, the Cobb Parkway location is brimming with many of the trappings of a larger store. There is a pharmacy, an impressive frozen food section and a lawn and garden section. During the holiday season, you will come to appreciate the ample parking. This Target previously shared a parking lot with CompUSA until the computer stored closed. Fortunately, Target shoppers now have access to even more parking at this location.

When it comes to navigating the Smyrna Target, I have the following five power-shopper tips to help ensure a successful shopping experience.

Start Your Engines
This location has the Food Alley restaurant and a well-stocked Starbucks. Before embarking upon a serious shopping experience, you will need a snack and perhaps a well-blended Frappuccino to ensure you can go the distance. The inability to concentrate is an unfortunate side effect of hunger and one that could cost you at the register.

Ticket Reading 101
When trolling for bargains, those little orange stickers are a sight for over-burdened budgets. When coming across one, it works best if you know exactly what you are looking at. Each sticker has a seven to nine digit DPI or item number across the top. There is a number that tells what percentage has been taken off in the upper right hand corner. Both the original and clearance prices are listed.

Clean-up on Aisle 10
Mark downs are done once a week based on department and workload. Once an item goes on clearance, it will likely be marked 30-percent, 50-percent, 75-percent and finally 90-percent off. The percentage amount increases based on how well an item is or isn't selling. For example, if an item has been reduced to 30-percent off and it is selling very well at the reduced price, this item may not be reduced again. It is important to remember that what is on clearance at this location may not be on clearance at other Target locations.

Let's Be Friends
When you see the Target associate printing orange stickers you have hit pay dirt! Mark your calendars because this person will more than likely be doing the exact same thing around this time next week. The sales associate doing the markdowns is likely sworn to secrecy about item reductions, but getting chummy with this person may get you the 411 on top secret bargain information.

Lay of the land
The store setup encourages you to take the main lane around the perimeter of the store. This is a great idea if you are a new Target shopper interested in becoming more familiar with the various departments of the store. If you are in search of hot bargains you will need to take the road less travelled. There are end caps located at both ends of an aisle. The end that doesn't face the main walkway is where all the goodies are hiding. These little clearance caches can be found in every department.

Armed with these five power-shopper tips, you are well on your way to enjoying the true Target experience!